Hello,
I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't written a COBOL program since the days of the 80 column card readers. So my question is: If I were to become a programmer again, what environment would I be working in. I assume that I would develop new code using something like notepad, compiling and testing on my pc and then sending it as a file to the mainframe. If that is vaguely correct, what software do I need to use to make this happen at the PC end. Any information would be much appreciated. thanks.

Both IBM and Microfocus has big "environments" for off-the-mainframe development, which allow mainframe code to be developed.

Still much done on the mainframe, using ISPF mainly (if we are talking of z/OS).

There is a mainframe you can get for your PC. Hercules is an emulator. You can get an old "public domain" operating system working on it and then write some code for an old compiler.

If you want to write up-to-date code, there is OpenCobol which is freely-available for you to use, and can be kept close to what is available on the mainframe (or forget the mainframe and do whatever you like with it).

Depending on how ambitious your program is, you can build a mainframe on your pc (but if you've not worked on a mainframe in 30 years, the mainframe will little resemble the system you last worked on). What machine and operating was your last cobol work? The good news is that cobol is still quite similar (with exceptions of Many new features).

In addition to all of the links Enrico provided, here is another you might want to chek out:

If you were working on MVS, you will probably find many things similar. As i mentioned, there have been tons of new things added - both to the system and the COBOL language.

Depending on how "heavily technical" you were then, you may come up to speed somewhat quickly.

Some places allow/encourage remote work - many do not. Every client i've had insists i can connect remotely, but the idea of working from home for any extended period (i.e. more than a day on either side of a weekend) does not usually fly well. I've had a few remote support jobs (parttime) where when they had a question/problem, they called and i logged on worked with them.

While you are not a beginner, there may be topics that have info you can use. I'd recommend just looking at the topics in the COBOL and JCL parts of both forums for both some initial info as well as to get answers to questions/adventures you have.